Another Miracle on a Street...not 34th street, but 19th and 9th in the City of Norfolk, VA

Greetings to you this Christmas day! 

Unto us a Savior is born and he will be called Emmanuel - the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 

This week, I felt like the Lord wanted us to do something different.  Last night, the Lord continued to amaze me, with what he can do if we will just make ourselves available to be used by Him.  This week, the Lord surprised me, as my friend Steve Zollos asked to go with me to downtown Norfolk.  I was extremely excited, because last week, I couldn't keep up with the people as they came to my van receiving food and coffee.  I was glad to have an extra hand.  I have been praying that the Lord would raise people up to help serve these folks. 

Well, yesterday when I spoke to Steve, he informed me that his wife Debbie would like to go, as well.  Then, when they arrived at my house, they brought their daughter Sophia.  I realized at the end of the night why the Lord prompted them to want to go.  He knew that my capacity alone wouldn't be enough.  Last night we served over 50-60 people.  I was utterly amazed at how the Lord has provided more and more people each week.  I thought back to my first week with Mira and was truly thankful for what the Lord has done.  He has done great things!  This week, I asked Steve to post as I thought it would be nice to hear from someone else.  Here's his testimony.  God bless you all!  May you fall deeper and deeper in love with the one who loves you with an unending love.  Nothing can seperate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus!


Hi There,

Jimmy and I (Steve Zollos) had been talking about ‘A Church Without Walls’ for some time and the power God has implanted in each of His Saints to share the love of Christ and the Good News of The Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. Thankfully Jimmy and his wife Laura took the first step and ‘opened the doors’ to A Church Without Walls to the homeless. He put what the Lord was showing us into action and yesterday, on Christmas Eve, I was able to join Jimmy - along with my wife Debbie, and my daughter Sophia – in bringing the real meaning of Christmas to the poor and homeless. Little did I know that the Lord was about to open my eyes wide open.  Together we wrapped coats, hats, socks, gloves, & scarves in Christmas paper and packed up the minivan with the Christmas gifts which were donated spontaneously by many people through the Lord’s great mercy.

It would prove to be a cold night so we added some hot soup, piping hot coffee, and a box of cookies to serve those who are without, and most importantly the Word of God in the form of Bibles to give away.  With the van full of good news and good cheer we headed to downtown Norfolk on Christmas Eve night. I really didn’t know what to expect. I asked Jimmy if he thought anyone would need help on this Holy Night?Would anyone be receptive to our hospitality and our message of hope and salvation?

Our first stop was 19th Street where a group of 5 people quickly turned to 15 and then on to 9th street where over 50 people without homes gathered in hopes of getting into a shelter. The people we served that night were white, black, educated, uneducated, veterans, mothers, young and old. Some lived on the streets, behind walls or in bushes - anywhere that might block the cold. A few lived in their cars. It became quickly apparent that poverty is no respecter of persons.  One man shared with me his secrets to keeping his hands warm and how he would wear his backpack because it would create a warm spot on his back.  Another man was a pastor at one time who had fallen into sin. I was able to pray with an older woman who suffered from arthritis in her knees, hips and hands. The Lord had me encourage one younger woman who was mentally slower than others with the simple truth that she was God’s daughter and that He loves her dearly. A group gathered around to hear the Christmas story read from the Bible. I was ministered to as I realized in a new and powerful way that the Word of God is mighty, and all hearts are drawn to Him through His Word.

We handed out the blankets, socks, coats and gloves that were received with many thanks. Many people were asking for socks but we ran out of those quickly. We also needed more men’s gloves, and larger ladies’ coats and sweaters. We ran out of everything except of few of the smaller women’s coats and I realized that layering is important for keeping warm so even the smaller framed people were in need of larger coats and sweaters.

The group welcomed the opportunity to light Christmas candles and sing a short chorus of ‘Oh Come Let Us Adore Him,’ as we ministered the love of Christ to His children.  We only had a dozen or so Bibles so we decided to only give them to those who asked, or that the Lord prompted us to give them to. We gave away every one of our Bibles. One man, after receiving the Bible came up to me to ask where he might find the Christmas story, as he wanted to read it before he went to sleep that night. We had the opportunity to pray with many of these beautiful people for healing, anointing, and prosperity. We fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and shared the love of God, and the gospel message in both word and deed. God was not only working in the homeless last night. It was a night that renewed my faith, encouraged my soul, and reinvigorated my desire to draw near to God. God is great indeed. He cares for His people, all His people. He is worthy of all of our praise!

Merry Christmas!

Steve, Debbie, Sophia, Jimmy, Laura and all those who gave cloths, blankets, gloves, hats, scarves, etc